Recall 12V313 covers 165 2009-2011 Volvo Bus 9700 buses for unsecured passenger seat wall tracks. Free repair at a franchised Volvo Bus dealer.
Volvo Bus is recalling 165 2009-2011 9700 transit buses because the passenger seat wall mounting tracks can be improperly secured to the structure. In a crash, that can increase the risk of passenger injury, and the Volvo Bus dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The passenger seat wall mounting tracks on 2009-2011 Volvo Bus 9700 transit buses are the rails that tie the passenger seats into the bus body. They give the seat frame a fixed anchor point along the side wall, so the seat stays in position when the bus turns, brakes, or hits rough pavement.
On recalled buses, those wall tracks were not properly secured to the structure during production. That means the seat attachment depends on hardware or contact points that do not hold the track as designed. If the track shifts or loosens, the passenger seat loses some of the support it is supposed to get from the bus body.
There is no warning sign before failure. A loose seat, wall-side rattle, or visible movement at the seat track is still worth reporting to the dealer, but the recall itself does not identify a reliable early symptom.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2009, 2010, and 2011 model years, all involving the same seat assembly.
| 2011 Volvo Bus 9700 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2010 Volvo Bus 9700 | seat assembly |
| 2009 Volvo Bus 9700 | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 165 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, affected passenger seat wall tracks increase the risk of personal injury to passengers. If your VIN is included, use the bus cautiously and arrange the dealer inspection soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Volvo Bus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2011 Volvo Bus 9700 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volvo Bus dealer and ask whether the free passenger-seat wall-track inspection and repair is ready for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 12V313 when you call so the service desk can match the recall to the seat mounting-track issue.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it, and ask the dealer to inspect and secure the passenger seat wall tracks before the bus returns to service.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer repair is available, a Volvo Bus technician will inspect the passenger seat wall mounting tracks and repair any tracks that were not properly secured to the bus structure. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Until the repair opens, have the VIN ready when you contact a Volvo Bus dealer so the service desk can confirm the campaign and next steps.
Timeline
| July 5, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 24, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V313?
Recall 12V313 covers 165 2009-2011 Volvo Bus 9700 transit buses with passenger seat wall mounting tracks that were not properly secured to the structure during production. In a crash, loose seat tracks increase the risk of passenger injury. Dealers will inspect and repair the tracks for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2011 Volvo Bus 9700 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 12V313. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo Bus dealer to schedule inspection and repair of the passenger seat wall tracks. Reference recall number 12V313 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers will inspect and repair the passenger seat wall tracks free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included Volvo Bus 9700 buses.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is passenger injury in a crash. Recall 12V313 says the passenger seat wall mounting tracks were not properly secured to the structure, which increases the risk of personal injury to passengers during a collision. The dealer repair corrects the seat-track mounting issue for free.
What if I bought this Volvo Bus 9700 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2009-2011 Volvo Bus 9700 is included, then call a franchised Volvo Bus dealer or the recall service line at 1-866-870-2046.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V313000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo Bus customer service | 1-866-870-2046 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V313 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V313000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →